MINOCQUA - The Lakeland Union Nordic Ski team started skiing the trails at Minocqua Winter Park 30 years ago.

The team has grown since then.

Only three members made up the team in the beginning and now they have almost 100 skiers of all ages.

"The first 5, 10 years we had three girls a couple of boys and really hardly a team," said retired coach Ken Schoville. Since starting the Lakeland Union Nordic Ski team in the 1980's Schoville has seen an increase in skiers.

"We started to develop a ski program for younger grades and from that we have continued to develop again both types of kids that come to the ski program those that are what we call skiers that already have the tools necessary to keep moving on and kids that are brand new to the sport," said Schoville.

The program has always skied at Minocqua Winter Park.

"They've been our home base for 30 some years and we continue to have good relationships with the foundation that operates it," said Schoville.

Schoville handed over coaching to Mike Bolger last year.

He says the team continues to bring in athletes- some who've never skied before.

"Going into it, I knew we had some talented skiers, but I would have to say, it's the new kids who have come out for this sport, and really bought into the program," said Bolger.

Bolger believes the program does more than just benefit the skiers. It benefits the community.

"With 4-6 inches of snow weekend Nordic ski people come, and they stay in hotels, they buy gas, they eat in restaurants, so it's a boom to the economy," said Bolger.

Schoville's glad Bolger wants to keep the ski team in the community.

"To me that long term continuity and growth and thinking that when I'm gone and move on then it's going to be here, it's going to be a part of the north, "said Schoville.

Last weekend the Lakeland Union Nordic Ski Girls team took first place at the Nordic Ski State championships in Rhinelander.

Thousands of people came out to benefit the fire department while having a good time. The fire department held the crowd favorite lawnmower races again this year.

They also had a volleyball tournament and games for kids. The fire chief says all the proceeds help the department pay for equipment.

"When we purchased our new fire truck, the fire department funded a good portion of the money, the fundraiser money, to help keep the tax dollars down so the tax payers didn't have to foot the whole bill for the truck," said Arbor Vitae Fire Department Chief Mike Van Meter. "And we also use it to buy turnout gear throughout the year, new air packs. Anything we can do to keep it off the tax roll."

ST. GERMAIN - The last day of Pig in the Pines wrapped up Saturday. People were able to watch the rib eating contest in the afternoon.

Newswatch 12 got to help judge ribs from this year's four rib vendors. One of the big events happened on the main stage Saturday evening.

"We have entertainment all day long," said St. Germain Chamber President Bruce Weber. "We have the Wise Guys on our main stage. We have Laura Ernst on the aerial platform here. She also does juggling. On our major stage, we have One Ping Only, and we also have Molly Hatchet, our lead act tonight."

WISCONSIN - Anyone who loves hunting and fishing will need to apply for a license. The deadline for some hunting and fishing licenses is August 1 at 11:59 p.m.

Hunters, trappers and spearers can go on the DNR website to apply.

"This is the time of year where not a lot of people are thinking about hunting, but that August 1 date is that date for applying for a bobcat, fisher or otter tag, sharp-tail grouse, or sturgeon spearing or fall turkey," said DNR Warden Supervisor David Walz.

ONEIDA COUNTY - Invasive species specialists work hard to protect our environment, but a few lakes in Oneida County aren't doing as well as experts would like.

Aquatic experts have found invasive species in four new Oneida County lakes this summer. Those discoveries are not great signs for the health of the environment, but the numbers also aren't as bad as years ago, when specialists might have found acres of an invasive species in some lakes. The new discoveries, though, are still troubling.

MADISON - People with five, seven, or even ten or more OWI convictions in Wisconsin usually serve time in jail or even in prison. But they could be driving again soon after they get out.

Wisconsin law allows a person convicted of an OWI to get an occupational license for traveling to places such as work or church within 45 days after their release. But some lawmakers think that policy could lead to serious trouble.

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